Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime in Chicago and the rest of Illinois, yet too often, drivers involved in a crash choose to leave the scene. The reasons for fleeing may vary in each crash but often, driver’s later report that a fear of potential punishment for involvement in an accident caused them to leave. In truth, a driver who fails to remain at the scene of an accident and instead leaves before being cleared by police will likely face additional and greater charges than had the driver remained, leading to the potential for increased fines, punishments, and potentially incarceration.
In many cases, a driver involved in a hit-and-run accident is later identified and apprehended by police. Once that driver has been identified, a victim who was injured by the at-fault driver’s negligence or recklessness may be able to seek a recovery against the responsible driver. Such a recovery can provide compensation for damages including medical and surgical bills incurred, lost wages, and time missed from work. But even if a hit-and-run driver is never located, the victims of an accident may still be entitled to relief. These victims may be able to recover against a provision in their own auto insurance known as an uninsured claim. In the worst accidents, a victim involved loses his or her life. A financial recovery can never adequately compensate a family for their losses in these cases but a recovery can help ease some of the financial damages that family is forced to endure. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer is a good place to start if you have suffered injuries in a car accident and you want to learn about your legal rights.
This weekend, Illinois State Police officers responded to a collision on I-94 near Touhy Avenue. Two vehicles were involved, an Audi and a Chevrolet, and both vehicles were forced into the right ditch after impact occurred. Through their initial investigation, police have determined that both vehicles were traveling in the center lane of southbound I-94 with the Chevrolet in front of the Audi. Police believe that the driver of the Audi rear-ended the Chevrolet, sending both vehicles out of control and causing them to enter the right ditch. The driver of the Chevrolet was trapped inside his car and sustained severe injuries which led to his death. The driver of the Audi needed medical attention and received it at a nearby hospital; the driver of the Audi has since been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and first degree murder. It is not clear if the driver attempted to leave the scene in his car or on foot at this time but police have alleged that the driver failed to remain at the scene as required by law, leading to one of the two charges.
If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to seek relief for your damages. The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by now to provide you with a free consultation regarding your accident and your legal rights, including whether you are entitled to a recovery. Call us now toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and let us help you understand your legal options. Everything discussed will remain confidential and we make ourselves available whenever you need answers. If you have been injured, do not let yourself continue to be victimized. Call us today and let us help you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Chicago Car Crash Leaves Pedestrian Dead, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published March 28, 2014.
Resource:
Lincolnwood man charged in fatal crash on Edens, by Denease Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, published April 1, 2014.